Makina Cafe Eritrean-Ethiopian To Go

Enjoyed this on Governor's island. Looking forward to the restaurant opening.

Important Heads-Up If You’re Visiting the Long Island City Location

Makenna Cafe is a unique spot, but I want to share some clarity for anyone considering a visit—especially to the Long Island City location. Online, it can be a bit misleading. This location is not a dine-in restaurant. It’s strictly for takeout and delivery, but that’s not clearly stated anywhere on their site, so we were definitely surprised to find that out once we arrived.

We actually came just to buy injera bread in bulk. The place itself is a little hard to find—you have to ring the bell, and someone will speak to you through the intercom before eventually coming out. At first, the gentleman told us they don’t sell injera by the slice or in bulk. Then he quoted us a high price—around $27 for 8 slices. But after double-checking, he came back and sold it to us for $12, which is the usual price we’re used to paying. We appreciated that adjustment, because we were honestly about to go elsewhere.

That said, it was a bit odd that when we returned the following Saturday (again, around midday), they told us they didn’t have any injera available at all. For an Ethiopian place, that was unexpected—especially since it wasn’t near closing time. They did end up giving us three half-pieces of injera for a regular price, which we accepted and moved on.

Overall, it’s not a bad place if you’re just looking for takeout or delivery, but it’s important to know that the Long Island City location is just a kitchen. Not a sit-down spot. I’m leaving this review because I really wish someone had spelled this out when I was looking it up myself.

I went here with my girlfriend to try out Ethiopian food. We ordered the Chicken Tibs with Sambusa.

When we got to the place., it’s in a shady warehouse which is awesome. We had high hopes.

However, you have to order online and you don’t get a notification if your food is ready.

The sambusa were super small with barely any filling for $6. The Chicken Tibs lowkey taste like Halal. In addition, we were missing our injera and a part of the vegetables ordered (chickpeas) for our chicken Tibs. Our food looked NOTHING like we saw and expected it to be.

Great food and great service from Isaias!

Where I live is in Pennsylvania, but I managed to try the food and the taste was delicious.

UPDATED REVIEW April 2025
2 years ago I gave a 5-star review to Makina which honestly was the best Ethiopian in town. This has changed since the past few months. I regularly order delivery and the quality and portions are way too inconsistent.
Basically every time it’s a surprise. I order the vegetarian bowl. It comes with three sides and the surprise for this week was that I got 2 sides the third one served in the amount of a tablespoon. Not worth risking the disappointment anymore.

THE BEST IN THE CITY!!!

Having this man work there is the biggest harm that could happen to your business. He does not treat anyone with respect. I do doordash and a customer asked for extra sauce. When I asked this man for it, he started to fight me and swore at me.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We've just had three bowls delivered and the food was a-ma-zing! We had some issues with the delivery that turned out to be the fault of our building. But the lady who answered the phone at Makina was soo friendly and helpful and willing to do anything to make us happy. Well, we ended up finding our food on a wrong floor that just needed a minute in the microwave and we were off to the heavens! I can highly recommend the vegetarian bowl and individually the red lentils and the awaze sauce. I don't know if it was the fact that I've seen Eden's (owner's) video about how she makes the sauce. It's quite a process and I must admit, I shed a tear eating it. This food truly touched me. Gratefully yours xoxo

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

All Good, I Love it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken TIBS

This food is just so good. Ordered it as comfort to get through the debate tonight! God bless you, Makina Cafe.

Very good service and the food was delicious

Vegetarian options: About 4 vegetarian options

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spicy Red Lentil, Extra Injera, Beef TIBS, Makina Sauce

The food truck was at summer stage in vin long park and I was HYPE cuz I love me some Ethiopian food! I got the chicken bowl with lentils, collard greens and injera. Chefs kiss! I devoured the whole thing. The flavors literally light up in every bite! Totally wasn’t expecting something so delicious from the food truck. But I was fooled and a happy fool by the time that bowl was done

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken TIBS

The owner is an Eritrean woman who’s family faced extreme hardship by the reason of the Eritrea-Ethiopia war. She let that hard miracle test her determination and stamina and she definitely proved life’s devilish ways wrong by opening her own Eritrean food truck. This demonstrates the resilience and courage of Eritrean people!

She is sharing her Eritrean culture and heritage with others and has created a marvellous space of inspiration and passion!

Eritreans truly appreciate such prosperous people sharing Eritrean heritage and protecting its continuation and integrity.

I am SO happy🇪🇷

The owner is an Eritrean woman who’s family faced extreme hardship by the reason of the Eritrea-Ethiopia war. She let that hard miracle test her determination and stamina and she definitely proved life’s devilish ways wrong by opening her own Eritrean food truck. This demonstrates the resilience and courage of Eritrean people!

She is sharing her Eritrean culture and heritage with others and has created a marvellous space of inspiration and passion!

Eritreans truly appreciate such prosperous people sharing Eritrean heritage and protecting its continuation and integrity.

I am SO happy??